Sickle Cell Disease: Preventing Problems and Staying Healthy

Topic Overview

Home treatment for
sickle cell disease includes steps you can take not
only to control pain symptoms but also to prevent some of the complications
caused by the disease. These complications include painful sickle cell crises.

Have a pain management plan

If you and your doctor have developed a pain management plan for home
treatment of symptoms, be sure to follow your plan.

Prevent vision problems

Prevent dehydration

Drink water and
other fluids. Drink enough so that your urine is light yellow or clear like water.
Drink extra fluids before, during, and after exertion and when in
the heat. Drink plenty of fluid if you have a fever or infection. Children should keep a water bottle with them during school, play,
and outings.

Exercise with care

If you exercise strenuously, rest when you feel tired and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Dehydration and reduced oxygen levels in a person's blood resulting from strenuous exercise may cause red blood cells to sickle.

Children with sickle cell disease can usually exercise
and play normally if they:

Drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after exercise. Dehydration can cause cells to sickle.

Get regular rest breaks during vigorous exercise.

Stay warm. Exposure to cold air, wind, and water can trigger a
sickle cell crisis. Dress children in warm layers of
clothing for cold-weather activities. Avoid swimming and playing in cold
water.

Prevent problems at high altitude or during air travel

High altitudes. The
air at high altitudes, such as in an unpressurized airplane or in the mountains
at altitudes greater than
5,000 ft (1,524 m), has less
oxygen than at sea level. The lack of oxygen can cause cells to sickle. If you spend time at high altitudes, drink plenty of water and fluids to prevent dehydration.

Air travel. Large passenger
airplanes are pressurized. But a person with sickle cell disease may have a
sickling problem even when flying in a pressurized airplane. Most people won't
have problems if they are flying only for a short time (less than 4 to 6 hours)
and drink plenty of fluids during the flight.

Manage and reduce stress

Get plenty of rest and sleep

Stay warm in cold weather

Exposure to cold air, wind, and water
may cause a
painful event by triggering red blood cell sickling in
exposed areas of the body.

Dress warmly in cold weather. Dress in layers to avoid sudden temperature change. When possible, avoid situations where you might become cold.

Educate yourself

Learn to recognize serious symptoms. Partner with your doctor, using your experience with the
disease and your doctor's expertise. Make a plan for how to treat pain at home
and when to seek medical care for severe pain and symptoms. Know when to call your doctor or when you need emergency help.

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